Wi-Fi 6 introduces a third, significantly faster 6 GHz band in addition to the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, providing unmatched performance improvements. By upgrading to one of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers, you can prevent network congestion and make sure you're ready for the future.
We've selected the best Wi-Fi 6 routers with all the capabilities you'll need to totally update your home network, both for small and large households. There is something here for every budget, whether you want a standalone router or a mesh router for whole-home connection.
Our Top Picks
We've done a lot of research on the best Wi-Fi 6 routers, and these are the ones that stand out from the rest. Our top pick of the best reviews, based on features, performance, and ease of use:
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Best Wi-Fi 6 router overall: Asus RT-AX86U
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Best performance Wi-Fi 6e: Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500
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Best Wi-Fi 6e mesh router: Linksys Atlas Max 6E
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Best price-to-performance Wi-Fi 6 routers: Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963)
- Best Wi-Fi 6 gaming router: Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80)
Detail Reviews Of Top 5 Best Wi-Fi 6 Routers
1. Asus RT-AX86U
(Best Wi-Fi 6 router overall)
Product’s Specifications
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Wi-Fi spec: Wi-Fi 6/Dual-band
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Number of antennas/removable: 3/Yes
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Ports: 1 WAN/1 Multi-Gig WAN/ 4 LAN gigabit per second, 2 USB 3.0
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Measured peak throughput: 929.7 Mbps
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Size: 9.0 x 6.7 x 3.1 inches
Today’ Best Deal
Reasons to buy
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Excellent throughput and range.
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Multi-gig WAN port.
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Superior latency management.
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Full-featured app.
Reasons to avoid
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Bulky design.
Product Summary
The Asus RT-AX86U is a Wi-Fi 6 powerhouse that costs less than $300 and offers incredible speeds, top-notch gaming capabilities, and excellent customization options. It's a wonderful option for safeguarding your entire home network since it offers high-end performance, lifelong protection from viruses and intrusions, long-term security without a monthly cost, and a two-year guarantee.
The performance of the Asus RT-AX86U, however, is what really makes it appealing. It is on the verge of reaching the elusive 1-Gbps mark, enabling quick and simple connectivity for all of your devices.
The RT-AX86U is equal parts general-use router and premium gaming router, with excellent range and exceptional performance—even through walls and across floors—and a selection of features and ports that are a bargain in comparison to some of the best gaming equipment. The Asus RT-AX86U is the best Wi-Fi 6 router available for the entire home.
2. Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500
(Best performance Wi-Fi 6e)
Product’s Specifications
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Wi-Fi spec: Wi-Fi 6e/Tri-band
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Number of antennas/removable: 8/No
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Ports: 1 WAN/4 LAN gigabit per second, 2 USB 3.0
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Measured peak throughput: 2.396 Gbps
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Size: 12.0 x 8.6 x 3.3 inches
Today’ Best Deal
Reasons to buy
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Best-in-class speed with 6-GHz band.
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Easy antenna deployment.
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Security software.
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Supports link aggregation.
Reasons to avoid
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Expensive.
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Lacks QoS.
Product Summary
The best Wi-Fi 6e router to enter the market was the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500, and the results are astounding. The Nighthawk RAXE500 provides category-leading performance by adding a 6-GHz band to the already remarkable capabilities of Wi-Fi 6.
The tri-band device, with an AXE11000 rating, more than lives up to the hype by providing approximately 2.5 Gbps of actual data. The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 becomes one of the greatest routers we've ever examined, and arguably the quickest, when you combine this with its sleek appearance and numerous configurable choices.
The tri-band Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 stands out as the first high-performance Wi-Fi 6e router by giving users access to a plethora of additional data-delivery channels in the 6-GHz spectrum. The RAXE500 is fairly pricey, but if you require speed, it's worth every cent even though it performs best at close range.
3. Linksys Atlas Max 6E
(Best Wi-Fi 6e mesh router)
Product’s Specifications
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Wi-Fi Spec: 802.11ax
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Number of Antennas/Removable: 12/No
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Ports: Router: 1 WAN/4 LAN; Satellite: 4 LAN
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Peak Throughput: 1.189 Gbps (at 15 feet)
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Size: 9.6 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches
Today’ Best Deal
Reasons to buy
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Solid throughput performance.
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Powerful signal that can penetrate walls.
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Easy to install and manage.
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App or online configuration.
Reasons to avoid
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Lacks malware protection.
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Pricey.
Product Summary
The first mesh Wi-Fi router we tested, the Linksys Atlas Max 6E, outperformed the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963) in terms of total throughput. The Atlas 6E's throughput was 1.189 Gbps at 15 feet, held steady at 25 feet (1.008 Gbps), and then decreased to 382.2 Mbps at 50 feet.
Each Atlas Max 6E device includes 12 amplified antennas, a USB 3.0 port for adding a storage device, four downstream gigabit LAN connections, and a 5Gbps WAN input port. Equally important, each may be set up during installation as the host router or satellite. We also appreciate the fact that it outperforms the competition with a three-year guarantee and lifelong support.
4. Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E (RBKE963)
(Best price-to-performance Wi-Fi 6 routers)
Product’s Specifications
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Wi-Fi spec: Wi-Fi 6e/Quad-band
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Number of antennas/removable: 12/No
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Ports: 1 WAN/4 LAN (base unit), 4 LAN (satellites)
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Measured peak throughput: 1.009 Gbps
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Size: 11.1 x 7.5 x 3.0 inches
Today’ Best Deal
Reasons to buy
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Blazing performance (best mesh performance ever).
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Supports 6GHz Wi-Fi.
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Easy to install and manage.
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Excellent signal range.
Reasons to avoid
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Very expensive.
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Lacks USB ports.
Product Summary
The Orbi RBKE963 from Netgear is not only the most premium mesh router system on the market, but it is also the fastest. However, if you have a large house, a gigabit internet connection, and a lot of cash to burn, this mesh network is for you.
A third satellite will increase coverage to 12,000 square feet from the RBKE963's maximum of 9,000 square feet. The router's 6-GHz channel generated throughput of more than a gigabit at a distance of 15 feet, making it the first mesh router to accomplish so in our tests.
The system provides channels on the 2.5, 5 and 6 GHz bands, as well as a fourth 5-GHz channel for backhaul between units. Each unit has 12 antennas and four Ethernet connections, one of which is rated at 2.5 Gbps.
5. Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80)
(Best Wi-Fi 6 gaming router)
Product’s Specifications
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Wi-Fi spec: Wi-Fi 6/Dual-band
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Number of antennas/removable: 8/Yes
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Ports: 1 WAN/5 LAN gigabit per second, 2 USB 3.0
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Measured peak throughput: 1.389 Gbps
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Size: 12.0 x 8.0 x 6.3 inches
Today’ Best Deal
Reasons to buy
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Easy to install.
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Speedy performance.
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Excellent configuration options.
Reasons to avoid
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Expensive.
Product Summary
The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) Wi-Fi 6 router combines speed that breaks the gigabit-per-second barrier with virus protection and Disney's Circle software for banning unsuitable content and regulating family network use. The Nighthawk AX8 will function just as effectively in the real world as it does in the lab thanks to great performance through walls and floors.
Although the RAX80 is pricey, like other Wi-Fi 6 routers, it is simple to set up and allows you to customize the router as you like. It likewise has a 90-foot range, but performs better at 50-foot distances, making it more appropriate for medium-sized houses. If you don't want to sacrifice on speed and security, the Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) is a superb Wi-Fi-6 router to acquire.
FAQs
Is purchasing a Wi-Fi 6 router worthwhile?
Even if your devices aren't compatible with Wi-Fi standards higher than the ones you already have installed, upgrading to the most recent wireless standard is worthwhile. You'll get quicker speeds and be able to connect more devices without affecting other wireless users or slowing down your network.
Does Wi-Fi 6 have improved wall penetration?
WiFi-6 speeds up by using more effective data coding. Wi-Fi 6 will enhance speeds on 2.4 GHz networks, which are better at penetrating solid objects, in addition to 5 GHz Wi-Fi, which the industry has switched to for less interference.
Should I upgrade to a Wi-Fi 6 router?
If your router is older than three years, the quick answer is probably "yes." Wi-Fi 6 is supported by nearly all modern consumer devices, including tablets and laptops. Even if your devices are still on 802.11ac, it would still be worthwhile to think about upgrading your router to Wi-Fi 6 right now.
Final Thought
Finally, I’ve compiled a list of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers in 2024. This list was carefully curated from the top wireless router manufacturers such as TP-Link, ASUS, Linksys, eero. We’ve narrowed the field down to the most popular models in both desktop and mobile versions, so whether you’re planning to build a home office or your dream mobile hotspot, we’ve got you covered.
